April 28, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2026
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Gov. Whitmer Further Expands Previous State of Emergency Declaration Upon Request from Locals Recovering from Severe Weather
LANSING, MICH. Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Tuscola County and the Village of Holly in Oakland County due to extreme flooding caused by recent severe weather events.
“Today, as I extend the existing state of emergency to Tuscola County and the Village of Holly, we now have 41 counties and three municipalities facing damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure from recent severe weather, including historic flooding, tornadoes, and straight-line winds,” said Governor Whitmer. “While the impacts are unprecedented, we will rebuild and recover together, and I will ensure every community has access to the resources they need every step of the way. Thank you to every first responder who has stepped up to protect Michiganders and their property.”
The Village of Holly experienced two significant rainstorms that caused extreme flooding at its wastewater treatment plant, necessitating costly and ongoing repairs.
In Tuscola County, widespread flooding has caused severe damage to roads, culverts and bridges, permanently closing one roadway until adequate repairs can be completed.
These conditions pose a significant risk of injury and potential displacement for residents in the affected communities.
Communities throughout the state have experienced prolonged rainfall, rapid snowmelt, straight-line winds, or tornadoes causing widespread flooding, elevated river levels, and damaged roads, homes, and property.
Impassible roads have made rescue and evacuation operations difficult in many regions and multiple rivers throughout the state have continued to experience rising water levels, threatening the condition of various dams. Multiple first-responders and other personnel have been working around the clock to address these conditions across the state.
On Friday, April 10, the governor activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and declared a state of emergency for Cheboygan County due to the threat of overtopping at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex, which remains in effect.
On Tuesday, April 14, Governor Whitmer elevated the SEOC activation to monitor weather-related events statewide.
On Wednesday, April 15, the governor expanded the state of emergency declaration to Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Menominee, Missaukee, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee and Wexford counties.
On Friday, April 18, the state of emergency was expanded to include the counties of Eaton, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Mecosta, and Muskegon, and the cities of Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo.
On Monday, April 20, the state of emergency was again expanded to include the counties of Iron and Marquette.
By declaring a state of emergency, the governor has authorized the use of all available state resources to assist local response and recovery operations in the affected counties.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) is coordinating the state’s emergency response through the SEOC. MSP troopers are on the ground assisting local emergency response efforts.
The declaration also allows eligible communities to seek financial assistance under Section 19 of Michigan’s Emergency Management Act, Public Act 390 of 1976, as amended. The funding helps local governments cover emergency response costs and repair public infrastructure damaged by the storms.
Find links to and sign up to receive MSP and SEOC news releases and follow Facebook and X or the latest information from the JIC. All media inquiries should be sent to SEOCmedia@michigan.gov.
For more information about the statewide response visit michigan.gov/aprilstorms.
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